Jay-Z and Eminem join DJ Hero @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on May 31, 2009

News: Activision also reveals DJ-guitar duets and emcee options.

A few months ago, an interview with Jay-Z in BestLife Magazine revealed that the rap mogul might be getting into the video game business. Today, Activision confirmed his involvement (and Eminem's) in the upcoming DJ Hero.

Jay-Z and Eminem will contribute several songs each to the turntable-based music game as well as "collaborate on a special branded edition of the game that will feature an advanced version of the game's turntable controller." This special edition of the game will also include "a metal traveling case that transforms into a performance-ready DJ stand and two exclusive music CD compilations featuring greatest hits and new mixes from each artist." According to Activision, several more songs from both artists will be made available as downloadable content for DJ Hero shortly after the game is released.

In addition to showing off their DJing skills, DJ Hero will also allow players to become multi-instrument musical stars. The game will include a microphone option to emcee over any track as well as playing a guitar-DJ duet with a Guiatr Hero guitar controller. Other features of the game include:

DJ Hero immerses fans into DJ culture and a sea of music as they take turns with their friends, scratching songs, playing along to the hottest tracks and ruling the party. The game's innovative turntable controller was created exclusively for the game and features familiar DJ tools including a fully-rotating turntable, sample buttons, effects dial and crossfader. Players master various DJ techniques as they play along to visual cues for scratching, blending, crossfading and sampling, and can also add their own creative spark by choosing to add a variety of effects, samples and scratches. Social expression is heightened with euphoric multiplayer gameplay where two DJs can battle competitively or have a player join in to emcee over any track in the game using any USB compatible microphone. Additionally, gamers can rock together as DJ Hero features DJ-guitar exclusive mixes played with a turntable controller and Guitar Hero guitar controller.

"A DJ has the ability to use music to control people's emotions and is responsible for the entire vibe of a room, a club or a party," said Jay-Z. "DJ Hero is the first video game that allows everyone to enjoy the unique experience of creating that environment."

"I came up doing freestyle battles on local stages with other MCs and DJs," said Eminem. "DJ'ing is an essential part of hip-hop and DJ Hero will give people all over the chance to experience the music from the other side of the turntables."

DJ Hero will be released on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 this Fall.